Curious, did your insurance company give you any pushback when you asked specifically for OEM parts? I've always wondered if insurers typically resist covering OEM replacements, especially if you've got mods or aftermarket upgrades. I'm budget-conscious myself, but safety and proper fit are big deals for me—definitely don't want to compromise there. Has anyone else had luck negotiating OEM coverage without a huge premium hike?
"Has anyone else had luck negotiating OEM coverage without a huge premium hike?"
Ha, good luck with that! My insurer acted like I was asking for gold-plated lug nuts when I mentioned OEM parts. Eventually got them to budge after some back-and-forth, but it felt like pulling teeth. Honestly, if you're modded or classic, local agents sometimes get it better than the big guys—at least they know why you're picky about parts. Just my two cents from the trenches...
Funny you mention local agents being better—I actually had the opposite experience. My local guy looked at me like I was nuts when I asked about OEM coverage for my '68 Mustang. Ended up calling one of the bigger companies, and surprisingly, they got it right away. Premium went up a bit, but nothing crazy. Guess it really depends on who picks up the phone that day...
"Guess it really depends on who picks up the phone that day..."
That's exactly what I've noticed too. A couple years back, I was prepping for a cross-country trip in my old Jeep Cherokee and wanted to make sure I had solid roadside assistance coverage. Called my local agent first, figuring they'd know best about specifics like towing limits and out-of-state coverage. Surprisingly, they seemed pretty unsure about the details and kept giving me vague answers. Ended up calling one of the bigger national companies just to double-check, and they immediately rattled off exact mileage limits, partner garages along my route, even how long response times typically were.
Makes me wonder—is it just luck of the draw with local agents? Or maybe bigger companies have better training or resources for specialized questions? Either way, seems like it's worth making a few calls before settling on anything...
I've had similar experiences myself. When I was shopping around for coverage after my son got his license (talk about risky drivers...), the local agent seemed nice enough but struggled to clearly explain how adding a teen driver would impact our premiums. Called a bigger company afterward, and they broke down the numbers right away—no hesitation. I prefer supporting local businesses, but sometimes clarity and reliability win out, especially when you're watching your budget closely.
